"Players" Irons vs "game impovement" Irons to a beginner

[Bradbar]

Hello,

I revently got into golf around a month or so ago and before really knowing anything about clubs I purchased a set of used Ping I-10's.  Since than I have had multiplule people tell me that my skill level is not good enough for the clubs I am using and I would get more out of "game inprovement" irons.  I know I am just beginning but feel I am progressing rather quickly and find it hard to believe that there can be that big a different between I-10's and something like a G-15 (which someone suggested to me).  Is this true and would it be worth it for me to look at trying to switch to a more "game improvement" iron?

[lumpuckeroo]

IMHO, the Ping I-10 is a game improvement iron.  While it might not be as forgiving as the G-15, it is a long way from a Mizuno MP69 or any other forged blade.  I think you will be just fine using that set.

[trek8500xtr]

Agree with lumpuckeroo.  I never could get below about a 15 handicap with true game improvement irons, and my best guess is that it was because i didn't get the feedback from bad contact and inconsistent swings that i get with mid-level to player's irons.  I switched to Ping I5's and over about a 2 month (frustrating at first) period I dropped to about an 11 handicap, and then dropped to about 7.5 over a few months when I switched to Mizuno MP-32's a year later.  Granted, a lot of it is confidence and head games, but the I-10's are a nice blend of forgiving while still providing the feedback to help you know when you don't make good contact and need to make adjustments.  Switching to the mid to player's irons forced me to pay closer attention to the details of my swing which in turn made me a better golfer.  Of course, all that assumes you can put in the time to work with them on the range.  I recently re-gripped and switched back to my I5's because I wasn't playing enough to hit my MP-32's and 710 MB's consistently well.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by lumpuckeroo

IMHO, the Ping I-10 is a game improvement iron.  While it might not be as forgiving as the G-15, it is a long way from a Mizuno MP69 or any other forged blade.  I think you will be just fine using that set.

Agree.  I played forever with Titleist cavity backs that were, I assume, in the "players iron" category, but I assumed that they had decent forgiveness because they were cavity backs.  I just got some i20's and now I can tell you that the forgiveness of the Titleist (speaking primarily of toe-hits here) was virtually non existent in comparison.

I don't know i10's but will assume that they are just an earlier version of i20's, in which case I think you have some fine clubs there.

[Bradbar]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  I recently had them extended +1" (i'm 6'-4" and my local golf pro said that it will help me maintain my spine angle) and since took them to the range once and hit them better than I ever have but it did not translate into the course very well.  I ended up chunking alot that round but I beleive its mostly due to the fact I have not had enough time with the clubs after having them extended.  Either way hearing what you gys have to say make me feel better about buying a set of clubs blind lol.

[aangel]

Do yourself a favor and don't worry about what category your clubs fall into......whether they are SGI, GI or Players clubs, the main thing is that you need to feel comfortable hitting them. I am a 20 Handicap and just recently went to get custom fitted for a set of Ping  i20's. After hitting them and the Ping G 20's, I decided to purchase the G20's because they felt more comfortable. I didn't care that they were GI irons.

[WUTiger]

The I10 carries a Maltby Playability Factor (MPF) of 560 and falls into the Game Improvement category. As tall as you are, you should be able to generate good leverage and clubhead speed.

If a beginner is having trouble hitting the I10 irons, then he might want to move into SGI or UGI category. But if you're hitting them and improving along the way, keep and enjoy!